Quality & Patient Safety

Leapfrog Group report says without proper monitoring, HIT could negatively affect patients

Patient Safety Monitor, September 1, 2010

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A new report released by The Leapfrog Group shows that computer physician order entry (CPOE) systems can potentially miss half of routine medication orders and one-third of potentially fatal medication orders. 

The report is based on a study of 214 hospitals that tested their CPOE systems using a Web-based simulation tool between June 2008 and January 2010. The Leapfrog Group is a quality organization that uses the power of large purchasers to positively affect patient safety and quality in healthcare.

The simulation tool was used to see how often CPOE caught common medication errors. Adult hospitals involved in the study received 10 sample patients and 50 medication orders, and pediatric facilities received 10 sample patients and 51 medication orders. Most of the hospitals that adjusted their protocols and CPOE systems after using the tool improved their performance.

This is an excerpt from a member only article. To read the article in its entirety, please login or subscribe to Patient Safety Monitor.

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